Yellow jackets are the definition of small and mighty. Packing a painful sting, these black and yellow demons also have anger issues. Highly aggressive, they can be a serious danger to anyone with allergies, but can bring significant pain to anyone unlucky enough to be in their sting zone. This of course makes them dangerous, but especially so on school grounds. Part of yellow jackets' aggression stems from how territorial they are, and if in a group a single sting can turn into multiple. Allergic reactions are a threat, but any number of stings can trigger anaphylactic shock and become deadly. Children are unlikely to know when they are encroaching on yellow jacket territory, so the risk of them being put in danger by a nearby nest is much higher.
This danger is why removing these nests are so important. Playgrounds, athletic fields, and even outdoor lunch seating are perfect spots for yellow jacket nests, exponentially increasing the likelihood of unwelcome stings. Proactive pest control and regular inspections help ensure that school grounds remain a welcoming and secure environment, lowering the risks of medical emergencies and reassuring parents that their kid will be safe at school.
These measures become especially critical for schools for the deaf. Students hard of hearing may not be able to hear the warning buzzing of yellow jackets, making them harder to avoid and harder for supervisors to effectively protect against. A student's playground can be very eventful, so removing yellow jacket nests from such settings helps keep the playground and similar areas a little safer.
The Maryland School for the Deaf is seeking a vendor to temporarily remove and dispose of any yellow jacket hives located underneath the roofs of their elementary school. If interested in this opportunity, click on the link to learn more. The bid closes September 19, 2025 at 10:00 AM EST.
